So I had 3 questions that I raised myself through out the week of ACEC 06 conference. Ienjoyed the conference and met some great people but the first question thatcame to mind was – Where are all the young minds? Where are the young teachers who are thefirst generation of digital natives? Whyaren’t they at our leading tech conferences sharing their thoughts andpractice? I guess there are a few thingsthat have come to mind to try and answer this.
1) The real techno wizard typedigital natives aren’t actually teaching. This could be an interesting thought as it seems to me that it ispossible that the young generation of teachers are not actually interested inthe power of IT and these new tools. Thefirst generation of digital natives are more than likely in a profession thatfeeds their love for this stuff and pays well. If I am wrong on this one and there are young teachers out there doingsome great things with these tools then why aren’t we having them share theirwork at conferences.
2) Well maybe I am being cynicalhere but I have a feeling that young teachers may not be getting a go atconferences. It is hard to get a spot ata conference unless you are experienced and seem to have some “old age” wisdombehind you. Perhaps we need to re-thinkwho is worth listening to at conferences? I would much prefer sitting down and spending time with a young teacherwho is just giving everything a go, being open to success and failures thananother 1 hour keynote reminiscing on 30years of teaching experience.
3) However, on the other hand perhapsyoung teachers are too busy to even consider submitting items for conference panel’sconsideration. I guess it is one ofthose things that are just too hard or time consuming for someone who is stillgetting use to the everyday work of a teacher.
Finally, I would like to add that whilehaving a great time at the conference I felt like there was no emphasis on whatyoung educators are bringing to the profession. It is great to see experienced teachers getting involved in learningmore about IT and these great 21st century tools, but theseexperienced teachers should be leading the way for the younger generation andencourage them to share their ideas and thoughts. I will never forget having a much more experiencedteacher a few years ago sit down with me and look over what I had been doingwith digital movie making in my classroom. I shared with him the engagement of students and he looked over the workand gave some great advice for the future based on many many years of teachingexperience. This was truly the greatest professionalrelationship that a young teacher could have.
I would like to get some feedbackhere. Am I missing something or is theremore to it than what I have observed?
technorati tags:acec06, brettmoller, conferences, edtech, education, technology
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Hi Brett,
As a young educator (for those that don’t know, this is my first year and I have a group of Year 6/7 students), I can relate to all of the points you raise above about the reasoning behind a lack of young educators at conferences.
I relate most though to your third point – I simply don’t have the time to consider writing a paper and preparing a pressie for a conference. I’m flat-out strugling to graple with the *basics* of the teaching profession (though I think I’m getting there – slowly).
As I sit here at my computer, on the last days of my holidays, putting together the coming term’s work (we start back next week), I can barely find the time to write this reply and certainly can’t find time to keep my OWN blog current – especially after spending much of my precious time reading the wealth of info coming from others’ blogs (such as this one!).
One thing though … you have inspired me to think about the possibility of at least attending the next ACEC or other technology-based conference.
Cheers mate,
Michael
Forget just attneding mate… You have plenty to offer. If you ever want a hand getting a paper together let me know. Actually, just throw it out there and get the feedback from the gurus that are online everywhere….
Have a great term 4 mate!!